Helika, a gaming AI-powered analytics startup based in Toronto, just announced the launch of the Helika Accelerate program, a $50 million gaming fund focused on developing Web3 games.
The fund is backed by venture capital firms including Sfermion, The Spartan Group, and Pantera Capital. It is aimed at providing gaming studios with mentorship in tokenomics, chain selection, user acquisition, game balancing, economy design, liveops, and marketing.
Game studios that are selected for the program will also have access to Helika’s AI-driven game management platform, which provides insight into NFT performance, social media analytics, and user behavior.
The Accelerate program launch comes on the heels of Helika’s partnership with Ubisoft for the release of its first NFT game, ‘Champions Tactics: Grimoria Chronicles,’ as well as a Series A funding round led by Pantera Capital and Sfermion last month that raised $8 million. Currently, Helika works with Yuga Labs, Treasure, WAGMI, and Wildcard Alliance.
Founded in 2022, Helika’s success in Europe and the U.S. has motivated it to enter the Asia-Pacific market and continue the development of AI-powered game management tools. Through AI-driven analytics, the company uses player behavior data to inform game design and marketing campaigns. Its analytics help studios improve player engagement, monetization strategies, and retention.
According to the report, the Accelerate program is geared towards independent to mid-sized game studios that have already raised some funding. Though Web3 games will be the focus, Helika said it will also work with some traditional games.
Investments in Web3 on the Rise
Helika’s Accelerate program is exciting news for game studios seeking mentorship in Web3, but it certainly isn’t the only big investment we’ve seen recently in the space. While money still isn’t flowing into Web3 the way it did at the height of the bull market, we’ve covered several stories recently about major investments and fundraising rounds.
Here are some of the top headlines from the past year:
- December 2023. Chinese VC Firm to Create $10B Web3 Accelerator Fund
- December 2023. DeFi Futures Protocol nftperp Raises $3M in Funding Round
- November 2023. Superstate Raises $14M to Create Tokenized Investment Funds
- October 2023. Web3 Restaurant Platform Blackbird Raises $24M in Funding
- August 2023. Magic Eden Creates $1M Polygon Creator Fund for NFT Projects
- August 2023. Singapore Monetary Authority Unveils $150 SGD Million Web3 Fund
Also worth mentioning, blockchain-based gaming has been a major contributor to the recent inflow of money into the space. A report from DappRadar released in October 2023, revealed that Web3 gaming projects had raised $600 million in Q3 of 2023.
Many believe that Web3 gaming could be the sector that helps onboard the masses into Web3. Of course, only time will tell if that proves to be the case. But the added support that Helika’s new $50 million fund for blockchain-based games will provide looks like another step in that direction. At Rarity Sniper, we’ll be on the lookout for any updates to the story.